CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston City Council approved a bill Monday changing parking procedures in city lots and buildings, as well as increasing the fine for having an expired meter.
Spaces in certain locations may be reserved between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the first and top floors of the lots being reserved for public parking. After the time and during the weekend, motorists can park anywhere in the facility at no charge.
The entryways to the parking lots will be removed, and parking meters will be installed at unreserved locations. Motorists on the first floor will pay a dollar an hour through the use of smart meters — which will accept coins, credit cards or payment through the ParkMobile phone app — while drivers who park on the top floor will pay 25 cents an hour through parking meters that accept coins or payment through the app.
The 18-person staff will not be cut, but rather become “parking ambassadors” for the city.
“Parking enforcement specialists are out writing tickets. They get a bad rap,” said Mary Dickerson, traffic, parking & transportation director for the city. “These employees are also there to help the customers, help citizens, give directions, assist in other parking options, help in the use of the new parking meters.”
Council’s motion also increases fines for overtime meters, which goes from $5 to $10. The penalty for not paying the fine within 10 days increased from $25 to $40.
According to Dickerson, the changes go into effect Tuesday. A cashier will be on duty until the smart meters are installed.
Five vacant positions were eliminated, resulting in savings of $140,000 in the parking system’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Next year’s budget, which council also approved, is $68,000 less than the current year’s budget.